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City workers who plan to use their office computer to watch World Cup matches are being targeted in a legal crackdown which could leave their bosses facing a £1,000 fine.
Up to two million employees in London are expected to tune into matches during next month's competition as many key games kick off in office hours. England's crucial last group tie, against Slovenia on Wednesday 23 June starts at 3pm BST.
But figures today reveal that thousands of firms have failed to secure the correct licence to allow their staff to watch the matches — streamed live on the interent — on their computers. Now the authorities which govern TV licensing have said officers will be out patrolling during the World Cup, visiting business premises identified as unlicensed.
Jon Shaw, TV Licensing spokesman, said: “Some managers might assume if they don't have a TV in the building, they don't need to worry, but the rise of online TV means many more businesses need to be covered by a TV licence. We'd rather businesses think ahead and check if they need a licence than risk a court case and a fine.”
A £145.50 TV licence is legally required if anyone watches TV programmes at the same time as they are shown on television, whether on a computer, TV or any other type of equipment. If an employee is caught, the business may be held liable and fined up to £1,000.
A poll of 1,500 office managers found that 50 per cent in London were unaware of the need for a licence for watching online. A separate survey of hundreds of UK employees indicated 35 per cent may watch TV at work using a computer or laptop, meaning 10 million workers could tune in online.
Stephen Alambritis, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Employers will not only need to make sure they put plans in place or staff to watch matches, but they will need to make sure they are properly licensed and get a TV License for their business.” The warning from TV Licensing comes as the TUC urged bosses not to ban staff from watching the games.
It said that one in five employees work outside normal office hours.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “Rather than impose a blanket ban on football, and run the risk of demotivating staff and losing hours through unauthorised sick days, we would encourage employers to let people watch the games if they like — and claim back their time afterwards.”
Reader views (18)
Lazy journalism - why is the Standard swallowing this TVL propaganda without challenge?
The comments from "TVL" (just a BBC brand name) are, simply, threatening and do not reflect the law. They cannot simply turn up at business premises and demand entry. They have no such right.
As for the business itself being liable for a fine if an employee is "caught" - really? This is a summary offence committed by the individual who commits it. I'd like to see them try to fine "the boss" or the Company, and make it stick in Court.
- Cornucopia, London, 03/06/2010 20:17
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Watching tv at work actually increases my work day and more gets done overall.
I get my TV via Internet from a program at seetvpc [dot] com. Have used it for a couple years and it's great.
- Jenniferweb, Chicago, IL., 02/06/2010 22:12
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"most people made a point of making up the hours as a matter of honour."
Obsequious Peasants.
- Norman the Conqueror, Brentford, 31/05/2010 20:47
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Nick, I see you're unfamiliar with the concept of give and take. Last world cup, my English employer screened the games both on the inhouse TV service and in special offices reserved with large projectors! Yes we watched the football, but most people made a point of making up the hours as a matter of honour.
- Marianne, SW France/London, 31/05/2010 12:30
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The reality is that many small to medium size business should have an internet use policy that is prescriptive and a part of their staff hand book. I have come across many outfits that have very few policies or procedures in place. Companies need to regulate the use of the internet during working hours otherwise the absence of one will create a situation where there are costly misunderstandings. All they need to do is introduce a system that keeps the balance and is seen as reasonable.
Nick Venedi
- Nick Venedi, London England, 31/05/2010 12:16
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watching Live TV - requires license.
watching non-live TV (most iPlayer, 4oD, itvPlayer, etc.) doesn't.
Simple. I'm sure all the big companies will be adding such clauses to their acceptable use policies if they've not already covered such things in more general terms.
- James G, London, UK, 31/05/2010 11:32
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A friend of mine just got FIRED by an airline (V*****) for sending a email from his home PC to one of his fellow airline workers office PC. He's 55 years old, and these IT people are spying on there workers. The airlines, IT people just used this as an excuse to "MOB" fellow workers, who they do not like, Should change the name from V***** to MOBBING AIRWAYS.
- Fred, london, 31/05/2010 10:42
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It would be a small price to pay to watch the cup than otherwise waste hundreds of man hours watching porn on the company's dime.
- Warren Zimmerman, Biloxi, MS, USA, 31/05/2010 06:48
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this is why Private Eye rightly call them CRAPITA, because the service they provide is just that. Good thing the coalition has cut back their work, so they seek other rip-off britain ways of manking money out of the poor public.
- johnathan, heybridge maldon, 29/05/2010 13:27
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there is a reason Private Eye call then CRAPITA
- johnathan, heybridge, maldon, 29/05/2010 13:22
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City workers who plan to use their office computer to watch World Cup matches are being targeted
Police state ?
Glad I dont live in the UK anymore.
- Andy G, Bahrain, 29/05/2010 07:43
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Steve and James Last - I agree, what is the legal situation here? I am writing this from the lobby of the National Theatre which offers free WiFi, like so many other public and commercial venues. Does that mean that every laptop computer should come with a TV licence form already in the box? Isn't it time for a rethink of the whole system?
- John S, London, 28/05/2010 17:06
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Another Quango which David & Co needs to cut down to size. If they have officers wasting time on this they need their contract cut down to size.
- Paul Deadman, Pocklington, East Yorkshire, 28/05/2010 15:40
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Just imagine if the England games were all played during the day, then it might cost bosses £10,000 a day.
It comes but once every 4 years.......and we rarely do well anyway. Whats the worry.
- Tony, Hove England, 28/05/2010 14:29
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@Bob, Cheam - suits me. I've been looking for a job since my position was outsourced to Singapore, and I was replaced by 3 Indians.
- Jock, Glasgow, 28/05/2010 14:28
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Simple, if you don't want to lose money employ only Scottish and Welsh staff.
- Bob, Cheam, 28/05/2010 13:57
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i agree with steve.
do you need a licence to watch tv programmes on your lap top in a park, on a train or your local coffee shop? even if there was an arguable case i don't see who you would charge in those circumstances.
- james last, london, 28/05/2010 13:29
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This is hot air by Capita who (I believe?) collect for the BBC. They have no legal powers to enter buildings to see what is being watched, nor could they possibly have enough inspectors. The law with regards to watching TV on computers and mobiles is as yet untested and questionable to say the least.
I suspect this story was generated by Capita in their own interests. It was taken up by the media who unfortunately did not first check what it was actually about.
- Steve, London UK, 28/05/2010 12:41
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